New Albany pastor to step in the ring to fight for those with trouble

Friday

Jan 24, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 24, 2014 at 5:16 PM

A central Ohio pastor who had planned to box a former Ohio State football player in a charity event on Sunday found out yesterday that he will instead step into the ring with an experienced boxer. The Rev. Greg Ford, lead pastor at One Church in New Albany, will face Upper Arlington Police Officer Brian Brown, who has a 7-1 amateur boxing record. Brown is replacing defensive tackle Jimmie Bell for the three-round exhibition match, billed as " The Fight," at New Albany High School.

JoAnne Viviano, The Columbus Dispatch

A central Ohio pastor who had planned to box a former Ohio State football player in a charity event on Sunday found out yesterday that he will instead step into the ring with an experienced boxer.

The Rev. Greg Ford, lead pastor at One Church in New Albany, will face Upper Arlington Police Officer Brian Brown, who has a 7-1 amateur boxing record.

Brown is replacing defensive tackle Jimmie Bell for the three-round exhibition match, billed as “ The Fight,” at New Albany High School, 7600 Fodor Rd. Bell, who was on the Ohio State team that won the 1997 Rose Bowl, could not fight due to the flu, organizers said.

“It’s a blindside shot we just got,” said Ford, who has never boxed before. “We’re learning to roll with the punches, literally.”

The bout itself wasn’t the focus of the campaign anyway, he said.

Ford has said that his only goal is “to inspire people who are in a fight” such as addiction or illness, a failing marriage, a bankruptcy or a job loss. The event benefits Emerge Counseling Services, a Christ-centered mental-health outpatient center in Akron.

“I’m at peace,” Ford said. “I just know the bigger purpose is going to prevail. It’s not about what happens in the ring. It’s everything that’s happened up to this point and even in the future."

Organizers expect at least 600 spectators at the fight, being held on One Church’s third anniversary. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event will start at 7 p.m. with comments from running back Maurice Clarett of OSU’s 2002 national-championship team, 2010 CrossFit Games champion Graham Holmberg, and 1984 Olympic light welterweight gold medalist Jerry Page.

The bout will start about 8 p.m.

Page will officiate the fight, and Team USA wrestler J.D. Bergman will emcee.

A limited number of ringside tickets are $25. General tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For details, visit www.thefight.info.

“This isn’t a game, it’s not a joke. This isn’t some big charade. People in the real world, in real life have challenges they’re going through, and it’s mere perseverance ... it’s tough endurance,” Ford said. “I’m just trusting this is God’s will.”